When the Mountains Are Closed Because of the Drought and Danger of Forest Fires -- You Hike Along the Acequias! 6/10/2022

Julianne led a small group of Hoofers on a nice but hot hike around the acequia neighborhood in the North Valley.  The map of her route is shown below. It was about 4 miles long. These Hoofers, braving the heat, were glad they were able to get out at all, given the forest closures.

After the hike they stopped at the Flying Star and had a nice lunch and great conversations.  

The Hoofers braving the heat: Lynda, Jan (Tamara's guest), Barb, our leader: Julianne, Jean P., and...

Behind the camera... Tamara!

A piece of wood turned into a  piece of art! I think it's a bird...definitely not a plane...but the colors are suspiciously similar to Superman's outfit!

Catching a glimpse of the back yards

A field with one lone Egret

Golden Rain Tree
 (Thanks to Tamara for identifying it for me I never knew this one!)

)

Another view of the Golden Rain Tree

Many nice homes in the area

Many beautiful yards as well!

Canadian Geese cooling off in the Acequia.  Acequias are an ancient type of gravity-powered ditches found throughout New Mexico.  These earthen canals carry mountain snowmelt and rain to fields, orchards and gardens.  

Backyards inundated by the wildlife

(Bindweed)  Correction should be Datura. thanks to Bronwyn!

Nice to see there is some water somewhere in New Mexico!

New Mexico Primrose

This is a fence being constructed in front of several properties along Rio Grande Blvd.  A unique design!

Here is the map of the  4-mile loop hike